The second set (on a second CD) then builds seamlessly from "He's Gone" and "Truckin' " to one of their legendary, free-form improvisations, before sending us packing with a melancholy "Stella Blue" and joyous "Around and Around."
Sparing us from a "Drums in Space"-style interlude, second percussionist Mickey Hart was out of the scene during this spell - still miffed because the band had charged his dad, Lenny (the band's sometime manager), with embezzlement. And Keith's wife, Donna Godchaux (then the backup singer), was also missing from this pre-Christmas party - off "giving birth," notes the credits. But clearly, she's still adding to the effervescent, celebratory spirit, the magic in the night that happens at Dead shows when everything and everyone is up and in perfect synchronicity.
The "Dick" of the album's title is Dick Latvala, a Dead tape collector who recently landed the ideal job as the band's tape archivist. His first ''pick" is a simple, two-track tape made off the sound board by one of the band's stagehands.
Yes, the production is a little sloppy. The tape runs out at the end of one track, forcing a fade. In general, the sound lacks the depth and spaciousness you'd expect from a glossy, multi-track concert recording.
But the fidelity is clean and clear enough (reminiscent of Dead FM radio concert broadcasts) to let these fantastic performances shine brightly.
Packaging is frill-free, resembling a box of Ampex reel-to-reel tape.
This official Grateful Dead release is available only by phone order (800-323-2300) for $18.95, which includes shipping.
If there's a Deadhead on your holiday shopping list, he or she will love you forever for this present.
DOGGYSTYLE
Snoop Doggy Dogg / Death Row
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Snoop Doggy Dogg is so popular at this moment that even when he gets
